ALICANTE, Spain (AP) -- Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol will play for Spain in September in the European Basketball Championship.

Gasol said Friday that it was an easy decision after winning the NBA finals.

"The season went really well for me and now I want to defend our country," Gasol said. "We're really hopeful about the team we have, but we can't go there with a mentality that we'll be playing the final just because we're really good."

World champion Spain, upset by Russia in the European final at Madrid in 2007, is one of the favorites going to Poland after a silver-medal performance in Olympics.

Anybody else wish he would rest up and not play? this would mean playing back to back years after the NBA season...hope he takes it easy. I doubt the comp will be that strong against teams in the group games where he can coast through.

Pau does not seem like a very injury-prone player. If he was injury-prone, I would be slightly worried, but he can play extended minutes and still be fine physically. I don't mind him playing for Spain but just keep your fingers crossed!

I wish he would take a longer break to. Focus on the weight room, training and getting healthy. I think it does take a toll on a person to play year round. Anyone who has been a competitive athlete knows that some time off is healthy for the mind, body and competitive spirit.